Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

signed · Iowa · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SF 2472: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, fees, financial authority, and budgets, by modifying property assessment provisions, divisions of revenue, and funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, establishing a program for first-time homebuyers, modifying and making appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill establishes a new property tax framework for Iowa counties that takes effect between 2024 and 2028, setting minimum tax rates for both general and rural county services. The legislation requires counties to collect at least 101.5% of current property tax revenue for budget years starting in 2028, while also allowing adjustments based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation. Counties must choose between meeting a fixed dollar amount per thousand dollars of assessed value or maintaining a specific percentage increase in tax revenue, whichever is greater. The bill also includes provisions that limit tax rate increases if property assessments rise significantly, ensuring that tax burdens do not grow faster than property values.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes property tax framework ensuring counties collect sufficient revenue (101.5% of current) and adjusts for inflation, strengthening local government fiscal capacity and budget stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget Tags Local Government

introduced · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2745: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, budgets, and authority, by modifying provisions relating to the assessment and taxation of property, funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, urban renewal areas, establishing a program for certain first-time homebuyers, establishing a local government efficiency grant fund, making appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill modifies property tax rules and budget limits for state and local governments, affecting cities, counties, and other public entities that levy property taxes. It establishes a new cap on general fund reserves, limiting unassigned funds to 35% of prior year expenditures starting in fiscal year 2027, and creates a new property tax levy limit that allows annual increases of up to 102% for existing property valuations. The legislation also updates audit requirements for local governments, clarifies how unliquidated obligations are recorded, and excludes school districts from certain reserve and levy limitation provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes property tax levy limits and caps on general fund reserves, promoting fiscal responsibility and budget management for local governments.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new property tax levy limits allowing increased funding for local governments, including schools, and creates education fund provisions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Property Tax State Budget Testing & Assessment Tags Local Government

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 2743: A bill for an act creating the Iowa rural health transformation fund and making appropriations.

This bill establishes the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funding received from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund will be used exclusively for purposes authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with interest and earnings remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget. The Department of Health and Human Services must report quarterly spending details to the General Assembly, including specific city locations where funds are used, and share all federal program reports with the legislature. The fund and its associated provisions will automatically expire on October 1, 2032.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new fund to manage federal healthcare funding for rural areas, increasing resources for essential public services and expanding healthcare access in underserved regions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to manage federal healthcare funding for rural areas, expanding access and strengthening rural health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SF 2473: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of management, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill directs the Iowa Department of Management to use state funds for technology infrastructure projects that improve government services and protect resident privacy. It establishes a Technology Reinvestment Fund with annual appropriations of $17.5 million starting in 2026, requiring projects to prioritize innovation, scalability, and rural access while ensuring long-term sustainability. The legislation also mandates stricter background checks for IT staff and vendors, including FBI criminal history checks every five years, and prohibits certain contract terms such as indemnity clauses, foreign law provisions, and blanket confidentiality requirements. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on funded projects to track progress and spending, with unspent funds rolling over for two years rather than reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes $17.5M annual Technology Reinvestment Fund for state infrastructure projects, directly increasing funding for government services and fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice information systems through improved technology infrastructure, stricter background checks for IT staff, and enhanced privacy protections for criminal justice data.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $17.5M for technology infrastructure, prioritizes rural access, and mandates stricter background checks for IT staff to protect privacy and enhance cybersecurity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2026

HF 2750: A bill for an act relating to the collection and distribution of fees for wire transmissions, the establishment of the school security grant program, and including contingent effective date provisions.

This bill establishes a new fee structure for wire transmissions, which are defined as money transfers sent to or from locations outside the United States. Financial institutions and their authorized representatives must collect a $5 fee for transfers of $500 or less, plus an additional 2% charge on amounts exceeding $500. The collected fees are submitted quarterly to the state Department of Revenue, with 10% directed to the office to combat human trafficking and the remainder deposited into the state's general fund. The Department of Revenue, working with the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for enforcing compliance, and may recommend license suspensions or revocations for non-payment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new fees for wire transmissions and directs 10% to human trafficking office, increasing state revenue for public programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a school security grant program funded by wire transmission fees, providing financial resources for school safety infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Safety

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3191: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents.

This bill allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the Department for the Blind, Department of Education, and State Board of Regents in Iowa. It provides specific amounts for various programs including early childhood services, career and technical education, school food services, student assessments, and initiatives to improve literacy and work-based learning opportunities. The funding covers administrative costs, program expansions, and direct services to students from birth through high school, with some funds designated for federal program matching and others for new pilot projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for education departments and programs, directly supporting budget appropriations for public services95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for education system operations, student programs, and educational services including early childhood and career technical education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget K-12 Education School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HSB 763: A bill for an act relating to transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the department of transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund.

This bill appropriates state funds from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts allocated for various operational needs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, utility services, and specific projects like driver's license system modernization and road facility repairs. Key provisions also establish rules for how unspent money from certain maintenance and project categories can be carried over for up to three years after the fiscal year ends, ensuring funds remain available for designated purposes unless projects are completed earlier.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds from road use tax and primary road funds to transportation department, directly funding infrastructure and public services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates state funds to Iowa Department of Transportation for road maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and infrastructure projects, directly funding transportation operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Sales Tax State Budget Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 2385: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa communications network, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2385 directs Iowa's Department of Management to sell the state's communications network as soon as feasible, ending previous restrictions that limited the network's use to public and private agencies. The bill requires the sale to ensure current authorized users continue receiving services on commercially reasonable terms for at least 10 years, with the Department submitting quarterly progress reports to the legislature starting October 2026. Proceeds from the sale must be deposited into Iowa's general fund. Key changes take effect immediately for the sale process and July 1, 2027, for revised service rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs sale of state communications network, generating revenue deposited into state funds, promoting fiscal responsibility through asset monetization without tax increases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2425: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to Iowa state university of science and technology for use by the Iowa nutrient research center in supporting the Iowa water quality information systems.

This bill appropriates $250,000 from Iowa's general fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds will support the Iowa Nutrient Research Center in operating the Iowa Water Quality Information Systems. Specifically, the money will be used to deploy sensors that collect data on nutrient levels in the state's surface waters. This directly affects water quality management efforts across Iowa, providing data to track how agricultural and other nutrient sources impact rivers and lakes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250k from general fund for water quality research, directly funding a public service via state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $250k for nutrient monitoring sensors to track agricultural pollution in waterways, directly supporting water quality management and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2328: A bill for an act relating to school lunch programs provided by school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2328 requires all Iowa public school districts, charter schools (under chapters 256E and 256F), and innovation zone schools to provide free lunches to every student in attendance, regardless of family income, starting July 1, 2026. The bill appropriates state funds from the general fund to the Department of Education to cover costs not covered by federal school lunch program funds. It mandates that schools comply with existing free lunch program requirements under section 283A.6 and directs the state board of education to create administrative rules. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state general fund dollars to cover free lunch program costs, directly increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates universal free school lunches for all students, appropriates state funds to cover costs, and expands access to school meal programs under education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Health

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